Did you know that vegan Birkenstocks are now officially a thing? It’s true, but should we be embracing the fact or shunning the shoe? It’s been a topic of debate amongst many vegans I know, so I thought it was time to get my thoughts online.

First, though…

What are Birkenstocks?

You may well be wondering, “What the heck are Birkenstocks, anyway?”, so it’s probably a good idea to give you a little insight into them before we get into the article.

Birkenstocks are a German shoe manufacturer that are most famous for their recognizable sandals. Put it this way, even if you’ve never heard of Birkenstocks before, it’s highly likely you’ve seen someone wearing them.

This is not a new brand. The Birkenstock family have been in the business of making footwear since 1774, which was when Johann Adam Birkenstock registered himself as a shoemaker, and their famous sandals made their way stateside way back in 1966.

Popularized in the seventies by the flower power generation, Birkenstocks carried a bit of a stigma around with them for a number of years. Recently, however, the brand’s popularity has increased after numerous celebs have been photographed wearing these iconic shoes.

Since when were Birkenstocks vegan?

Pretty recently. Birkenstocks released a vegan range in the US early 2017, although they have had vegan options available in Europe for considerably longer.

Vegan fashion is on the increase, and as long as more and more people switch not only their diets but their entire lifestyles, this looks set to continue. Business is business, so it’s hardly surprising to see massive companies such as Birkenstock catering for such a fast growing market.

So, what do vegan Birkenstocks look like?

Pretty damn good, actually. Their current range of vegan footwear is limited, but there’s talk of it increasing if these initial offerings take off as they’re expected to.

Let’s have a look at some of the more popular vegan Birkenstock shoes currently available:

The Arizona

One of the most famous designs to come out of the house of Birkenstock is the Arizona, and now it’s available as a vegan option thanks to the Birko-Flor technology that switches leather for microfibers.

The Gizeh

Hot on the, ahem, heels of the Arizona in terms of popularity is Birkenstock’s Gizeh. This “thong” style sandal is sure to be a hit with plant-based practitioners thanks to entirely synthetic makeup.

The EVA Arizona

Looking for a vegan Birkenstock Arizona you can wear to the beach? Well, their EVA version might just fit the bill. These shock absorbing sandals are built with comfort in mind, and the brighter colors will ensure you stand out, too.

The Boston Clog

Don’t want the world to see your toes? Birkenstock’s Boston vegan clog might be just what you’re looking for. The microfiber upper and lining coupled with the cork footbed make this a great way to hide those toes!

The EVA Madrid

Just like the Arizona, Birkenstock’s Madrid sandals have had a vegan makeover. These slip-ons come in a range of colors and, like the Arizona, they’re completely waterproof, which makes them perfect for walking along those sandy shorelines.

Should we buy vegan Birkenstocks?

Okay, so now we’ve seen Birkenstock’s vegan shoe range, and probably all agree that they look pretty damn snazzy, it’s time to get to the question of whether or not we should actually buy them.

The argument I’ve been hearing is very similar to the one that rages over the cosmetic industry; namely should you support a brand that isn’t 100% vegan in ALL areas of their business. It’s a reasonable enough topic for debate, so let’s debate.

I want to hear what you think about the subject in the comments below. Don’t be shy! Tell me whether or not you think we should support a brand that uses so many other animal products in its non-vegan lines.

Now, it wouldn’t be fair of me to ask you what you think without giving you my own opinion first, so here goes.

Personally, I would buy vegan Birkenstocks. While I completely understand the argument against doing so, I think it’s also important to remember that there are, for want of a better expression, bigger fish to fry.

Buying the vegan version of Birkenstocks also sends the company a clear message; there’s a market for these products. Sure, I get that there are entirely vegan shoe manufacturers you can support (and should), but the fact that we could potentially influence a well-established leading brand like Birkenstock shouldn’t be underestimated.

The more major fashion lines that jump on the vegan bandwagon, the better, in my opinion.

I know the “veganisation” of everything is commercially driven, but I don’t really care. Providing that fewer animals are harmed, awareness is raised, and the wider public begin to act more compassionately because of the increased publicity, I’m all for it.

Naturally, this is all about personal choice, which is why I’ve asked you to comment. I’m genuinely interested in hearing what you have to say. So, come on, let me know. I can’t wait to hear from you!

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16 Comments

Thank you for writing this blog. As a long Birkenstock wearer who is also vegetarian, I have become curious about the vegan Birkenstock line. I have never tried the vegan shoes, but am considering buying a pair. Their Birko Flor uppers are great. My only concern with Vegan Birks would be about the lining on the sole. Does it get sticky since it is not suede? I suppose I should try a pair and write a blog about it. I have shared your post on my “I Love Birkenstocks” Facebook Page! Kindly, Gina Mama http://www.ilovebirkenstocks.com

I purchased two pair of vegan Birkenstocks when I was a (vegetarian) teen, approximately 26 years ago. The company has offered vegan sandals for at least that long! I have been vegan for more than 6 years now & I have recently considered purchased another pair of vegan Birkenstocks. I see why folks might be hesitant, though, as the sandals are known for their leather. It’s honestly embarrassing to think that someone would look at my shoes & assume I was wearing leather! And, do we really want to support companies that sell Animal products? It’s a tough one. I have a similar feeling about the vegan Doc Martens I own. I love them! However, that’s another company that makes a killing off the back of animals.

I would suggest whenever wearing anything that could be construed as leather to wear a button letting people know that it is faux ( fur OR leather)
Just like wearing an old fur coat could ( inadvertently) encourage someone to go
out and buy a new one…same logic applies here.

I was literally just saying to my husband that I would want to have a T-shirt made that says “my shoes are vegan”. I wouldn’t want to encourage other people to buy Birkenstocks that were made from animal Hyde.

Vegan Birkenstock have been available for much longer than this. I have two pairs of sandals that are actually called “Alpro” but are the same as Birkenstock. For a while I thought that Alpro were the vegan version of Birkenstock, but discovered that there were some non-vegan Alpro, and some vegan Birkenstock. This was back in 2012/13. I love them. They are the same thing and I think the brands are owned by the same people. My sandals have a strap around the heel as well, which I prefer. There are fully vegan brands, but few available in Australia, and not all shoes work for all feet. Birkenstock (Alpro) hold my feet in a good position and saved my life in Berlin where walking on the concrete was leaving me in so much pain I wanted to go home. I agree; I want to support vegan brands, but I will wear vegan versions of mixed brands where they meet my needs and where we can send a message that there’s a market for cruelty free. Over the years we’ve seen some food items that were not began, but could have been without changing the taste, become vegan because it expands the market for the company. I think this is good. That said some companies I avoid regardless. I won’t knowingly buy a Nestle product, for example, even if it is vegan.

For those that have tried vegan Birkenstocks, do you find that they hold up as well as any non-vegan Birkenstocks you’ve tried? I looked at some vegan ones today and noticed the seam between the microfiber footbed and the cork at the heel wasn’t as smooth and seamless as on the non-vegan pairs. I compared several different pairs and saw the difference on every one. The seam was more ragged looking. This makes me think the cork adhesive on the vegan shoes might not be as good. I’ve search for reviews on the vegan Birks, but can’t find any. Thanks so much for any input.

I know this is an old post but I’ve just been searching online for vegan Birkenstocks and came across your post. 🙂

I totally agree with you about showing companies the demand is there for vegan alternatives. I LOVE my vegan Doc Martens and I’m happy to show the brand I support their vegan options.

I hope that as people buy up big on vegan ranges, more companies join in the “trend” so that we vegans and vegetarians have more options. Of course companies are ultimately in it for themselves but if it also means a reduction in the amount of leather produced then surely it’s a win-win?

I do NOT recommend buying vegan Birkenstocks. My daughter saved up to buy a pair and loved wearing them. She has had them less than a year and the microfiber lining has started to grow MOLD. This is their response when she reached out for their help:

“I’m sorry to hear about what happened to your sandals. I would like to note that since the footbeds of our vegan sandals are made of microfiber, they are porous. This means that even in dry climates, moisture can accumulate on the footbed just like dew does on a grass lawn in the morning. Any moisture when left unchecked will cause mold and there is nothing we do during manufacturing the footwear that predisposes them to this any more than another shoe with similar materials.

As each person wears and cares for their footwear differently, we currently do not have any warranty or guarantee on our footwear. This means that we cannot accept them back as a return or exchange.

With that said, due to the composition of our sandals, Birkenstock footwear may be repaired for various types of damage or wear depending on the style. In your case, your sandals at best only need a footbed liner replacement and professional cleaning. Although, in full disclosure, due to the moisture and mold, your sandals may also need a cork footbed replacement as well.

A repair facility would be able to evaluate them and give you an estimate for the necessary repairs.”

So, basically, they are acknowledging that they know there is a problem with their very expensive sandals but you have to incur additional expense to fix it.

They should fully disclose this problem beforehand. If people still want to purchase, then at least they were warned.

Extremely disappointed in this company. They have been around for decades and people associate their brand with a quality product. Apparently, they don’t care about their customers once they’ve gotten our money.

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